| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
East Timor
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK is providing for East Timor's civil and foreign service. [135072]
Mr. Battle [holding answer 30 October 2000]: Ten members of East Timor's future diplomatic service will attend a four-week training course in the UK from 4 November to 5 December. We have also made a commitment to assist with civil service training for the newly established National Council in the New Year.
Italy
Mr. Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Italy. [135850]
Mr. Vaz: Our bilateral relations with Italy are excellent, and continue to flourish. The closeness of the relationship was further demonstrated by the very successful state visit to Italy last month, when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed the exceptionally warm welcome and hospitality of the Italian people. The Queen and the Duke were accompanied on the visit by the Foreign Secretary , and the Minister for Europe. Both Ministers met leading figures from Italian politics.
Mr. Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the impact of the recent state visit to Italy. [135851]
Mr. Vaz: The state visit to Italy has served to convey the strongest possible reaffirmation of the high regard that our countries have for one another; as friends, allies and economic partners. The Queen's meetings with leading figures from the political and business fields, as well as those of the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Europe, demonstrated the keenness that our countries have to work closely together, for the mutual benefit of both countries, and for the EU as a whole.